Migration Watch UK press comment on ONS net migration figures

Unfortunately, these figures show no progress in reducing net migration from the record level of one third of a million a year. The referendum result demonstrated public concern about the scale of immigration. It simply cannot be allowed to continue.

The Brexit negotiations must achieve a significant reduction of EU migration and very firm action is needed against overstaying students from outside the EU.

These latest statistics also show that immigration from Romania and Bulgaria has hit a record high of 69,000 a year, at the very top of the 30-70,000 range that we forecast in 2013.

Low skilled migration such as this adds to the pressure on public services but brings little or no benefit to the budget, production per head or productivity.

To see the full ONS release click here. The data table can be found here.